I was delighted to settle a claim this week for the children of a local woman who died four years ago as a result of her inhaling metal dust in a factory.
It was also something of a local history lesson as I learned from my clients and witnesses how the lady concerned had worked in near-Victorian conditions in a Sheffield factory in the 1970s and 80s.
She had no choice but to take a job as a grinder and furnace worker after her husband left her with 2 young children to bring up on her own. To her great credit, the lady worked long shifts in a dirty, dusty, acrid and noisy factory for 14 years to ensure that she could pay the rent and feed and clothe her kids. My clients learned recently that their mother had not been paid any maintenance by the husband, hence her having to work for low pay in difficult conditions.
Liability was initially denied by the factory insurers, so with the help of the excellent local enquiry agency, Blackthorne Investigations, we found a number of local people who worked in the same factory as the deceased who were more than happy to assist us. They told us about the working conditions that they had to endure which would be illegal today, including no effective extraction and no breathing equipment, goggles, hearing protection or other personal protective equipment.
Proceedings were issued and pursued in the Sheffield County Court. Eventually the insurers agreed to settle the claim and pay substantial damages, much to the relief of the clients who rightly believe that they have won a moral victory and have gained justice for their late mother.
If you would like advice about any kind of personal injury claim including industrial diseases, please call us on 0114 218 4049 or email me at jonathan.stittle@tayloremmet.co.uk.
I am going to witness the magic of the FA Cup tomorrow as Worcester City visit Bramall Lane. I expect my team to progress, but nothing is guaranteed in football, or law.
I hope you enjoy your weekend
Jonathan Stittle
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